None of them was perfect: Arsene Wenger hits back at retired Arsenal players

Continuing his retaliation, the long-serving Arsenal manager said, “We have to take a distance with that as well, focus on our performance and not be dragged into any animosity.”

By

NewsX Bureau

|

Updated

:

8 September 2017,

1:26 PM

The Frenchman has hit back at Ian Wright and Paul Merson for being too critical of the team and player performances of late.

The abysmal performances by a below-par Arsenal squad has drawn criticism from many football pundits but a recent barrage from carping former Arsenal players has certainly not gone down well with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman has hit back at Ian Wright and Paul Merson for being too critical of the team and player performances of late.

Taking a dig at the players, Wenger said, “I always have problems understanding what a legend is and isn’t. I’ve had all the players here, but they all had their weaknesses as well.”

“They had their weak games as well, and their weak behaviours as well. Nobody was perfect,” the 67-year-old further added.

Arsenal’s talisman Alexis Sanchez featured in the Liverpool fixture last week after shrugging off speculations of his move away from the North London club. He was disappointing in Gunners 4-0 defeat at Anfield and was caught smiling by the cameras after being substituted in the game.

But Mesut Ozil is the one who has come under heavy fire from the now retired Arsenal players for his unwillingness to track back and press for the ball.

Continuing his retaliation, the long-serving Arsenal manager said, “We have to take a distance with that as well, focus on our performance and not be dragged into any animosity.”

“We are all grateful for what they have done for the club, but what matters is always the players on the pitch who can defend the pride of the club,” he said.

The North London outfit has started the Premier League miserably, winning one against Leicester City by a close margin while losing two games to Stoke and Liverpool.